Northview High School Names Students Of The Month
December 19, 2024
Northview High School recently named their Students of the Month for November. They are Maggie Stewart and Nicholas Kahalley, pictured with Principal Michael Sherrill. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Christmas Toy Giveaway Friday In Cantonment
December 19, 2024
A Christmas toy giveaway will be held Friday in Cantonment.
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will host the event beginning at 3 p.m. at Carver Park, 208 Webb Street for children in kindergarten to seventh grade while supplies last. Children must be present to receive a toy.
The giveaway is sponsored by Justified Incarcerated Ministries.
Girl, 12, Killed In Multi-Vehicle Crash On Quintette Road In Pace
December 18, 2024
A 12-year-old girl was killed in a four-vehicle crash Wednesday morning on Quintette Road in Pace.
The crash happened about 10:35 a.m. on Quintette Road at Tunnel Road in Pace, just east of Five Points. The crash involved a log truck, propane delivery truck, and two passenger vehicles, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
According to the FHP report, the crash claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl who was a passenger in a SUV driven by a 50-year-old woman. The report lists both as being from Nauvoo, Alabama. The woman suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital. The log truck driver, a 47-year-old Bay Minette man, was also seriously injured.
The driver of the propane delivery truck and the second SUV were not injured.
Troopers said none of the propane tanks were damaged.
FHP Traffic Homicide and FHP Commercial Vehicle units are continuing their investigation. So far, troopers have not said how the crash happened.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Hires City Treasurer From Michigan As Their New Town Clerk
December 18, 2024
The Century Town Council voted Tuesday night to hire a Michigan resident as town clerk.
The position has been vacant since Leslie Howington took a leave of absence in mid-April before resigning in May for medical reasons. In September, Century voted to hire the current town clerk of Flomaton, but she later changed her mind and withdrew from consideration.
Jennifer Tien of Allegan, Michigan, is currently the treasurer of the City of the Village of Douglas in Douglas, Michigan, a town of 1,411 with annual budget revenues of $3.6 million. Century, by comparison, has 1,758 residents with annual budget of $10.6 million, of which $5.8 million is front grants.
Tien was hired as the City of the Village of Douglas treasurer in June 2024 at an annual salary of $74,000 with a starting day in July, according to Douglas city council minutes.
Tuesday night, the Century Town Council voted 5-0 to hire Tien at an annual starting salary of $86,000 with three weeks annual vacation. The council did not consider any relocation expenses. The vote authorizes Mayor Luis Gomez. Jr. to finalize the hiring process with Tien.
Tien sat quietly in the council chamber, unannounced by Gomez until after the vote.
“I spoke with Ms. Tien; she’s in the building,” Gomez said. “I told her upon approval of the council, I would give her a minute to address herself, and any other questions of concerns that you may have.” No council member asked any direct questions, other than asking Tien if she would like to speak; she did not address the council.
“I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work in Century. I am confident that my skills in administration, customer service, and records management align well with the requirements of the clerk’s office and working along side the other departments in the town,” Tien wrote in a cover letter to the Town of Century on November 26.
Who is Jennifer Tien?
According to her resume, Tien’s work history includes:
- July 2024- Present, Treasurer/Finance Director, City of the Village of Douglas, Ml
- August 2020 to June 2024 – Election Coordinator/Deputy Clerk, Allegan County Clerk’s Office, Allegan Ml
- July 2016 to August 2020 – Deputy County Clerk Vital Records, Allegan County Clerk’s Office, Allegan Ml
- May 2007 to August 2015 – Owner – Licensed Insurance Agent, All American Insurance & Financial Services, Crestview FL
- February 1998-May 2007 – Licensed Insurance Agent, Kyes Agency & Bartz Rumery Agency, Allegan Ml
- January 1997- January 1998 – Customer Service Representative, AIITel Telephone Company, Little Rock AR
- June 1991- January 1997 – Administrative Assistant/Payroll Administrator, City of Plainwell, Plainwell Ml
Her resume states she obtained a bachelor’s degree in business administration, at Spring Arbor (MI) College in 1994. No town clerk certifications or training are listed. Howington, Century’s previous clerk, was a certified municipal clerk with a bachelor degree in public administration and an associate degree in paralegal studies.
Pictured: Century Mayor Louis Gomez, Jr. congratulates Jennifer Tien of Michigan after the Century Town Council voted to hire her Tuesday night. Pictured inset: Tien said quietly in the audience prior to the council’s vote. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Update: Suspect Shot By Escambia Deputies Now Charged With Attempted Homicide
December 18, 2024
A suspect was shot by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies Tuesday night., and he is now jailed on charges that include attempted homicide.
Darrion Kanye Finley, 20, was charged with attempted homicide of a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding with lights and siren, possession of a firearm by convicted felon, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, and deadly missiles (shooting into a vehicle). He was booked into the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning without bond.
Just before 10 p.m. Tuesday, deputies attempted a traffic stop on a reported stolen vehicle at Aquamarine Avenue and Kentucky Drive.
“The suspect fled, initiating a pursuit that was eventually terminated using a PIT maneuver,” ECSO said in a statement Monday night. “After being stopped, the suspect, armed with a handgun, fired shots toward deputies from within the vehicle and after exiting the vehicle with the handgun. The deputies then returned fire, striking the suspect.”
Finleyt was transported to an area hospital and later released. No deputies were injured.
Per protocol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
Eight Additional ‘Purple Star Schools’ Designated In Escambia County
December 18, 2024
Eight additional schools in Escambia County have been added as Purple Star Schools of Distinction by the Florida Department of Education for their support of children of military families for the 2024-25 school year through the 2026-27 school year.
“We encourage every school in the state to strive to better serve military families and earn the designation,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday afternoon. “I am proud to recognize these schools and school districts for their efforts to support our military families and earn the Purple Star designation.”
The most recent schools to achieve this honor are:
- Beulah Middle School
- Ferry Pass Elementary School
- George Stone Technical College
- Kingsfield Elementary School
- Navy Point Elementary School
- Pensacola High School
- Ransom Middle School
- Redeemer Lutheran School (Private)
There are now 28 total schools in Escambia County recognized as a Purple Star School of Distinction.
Those previously designated were:
- Bailey Middle
- Beulah Academy of Science
- Beulah Elementary School
- Bellview Elementary School
- Blue Angels Elementary
- Booker T. Washington High School
- Brown-Barge Middle School
- Ernest Ward Middle School
- Escambia High School
- Global Learning Academy
- Hellen Caro Elementary School
- J. H. Workman Middle School
- J. M. Tate High School
- Jim Allen Elementary
- Lipscomb Elementary School
- N.B. Cook Elementary
- Pine Forest High School
- Pine Meadow Elementary
- Pleasant Grove Elementary
- West Florida High School
The entire Santa Rosa County School District was named a Purple Star School District of Distinction Designation for the 2024-25 school year through the 2026-27 school year.
To earn the Florida Purple Star School of Distinction designation, schools are required to maintain the following:
- A military point-of-contact to serve as a liaison for military families;
- A school webpage for military students and families that includes specifically-focused resources like academic planning, transition planning, and educational opportunities;
- A student-led transition program to assist military students coming into the school;
- Professional development training for staff to identify and respond to the needs of military families;
- 5% open-enrollment seats for military students and families; and
- Three elective opportunities to further support military families, such as participating in a service project to connect the school with the military community, hosting an annual military recognition event, or offering a JROTC program, among others.
Two Escambia County Fires Add Red Bulbs To Fire Safety Wreath
December 18, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue has added two more red bulbs for a total of seven red bulbs during “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign.
The bulbs were added for a Monday night fire in the 100 block of Eden Lane in Cottage Hill that claimed the life of a dog and a Monday afternoon residential structure fire in the 200 block of Airport Boulevard.
Eden Lane Fire
Firefighters rescued two dogs from an attic fire that damaged a Cottage Hill home Monday night.
There was reportedly no one home at the time of the 8:19 p.m. fire in the 100 block of Eden Lane, just off Highway 95A.
At least two dogs found inside the home received care and oxygen using special pet masks by Escambia County Fire Rescue. One dog was transported to an emergency veterinarian, but it did not survive.
For additional photos, click here.
The Bureau of Fire and Arson is investigating the cause of the fire. ECFR said the home can be re-occupied once significant repairs are made.
Airport Boulevard Fire
Heavy flames were visible from the carport of the single-story wood-framed home when firefighters arrived just after 2 p.m. There were no injuries or fatalities. ECFR conducted the investigation and determined an electrical issue stemming from the laundry room caused the fire.
The “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the City of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign. Five-foot wreaths are on display at locations that included 21 county fire stations. Each time firefighters respond to a residential or commercial structure fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential and commercial buildings.
Pictured: A Monday night fire on Eden Lane in Cottage Hill. NorhtEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour; submitted photos courtesy Judith Fehl.
Century, UWF, Brownsville Cut From Early Voting Sites For Congressional Special Primary
December 18, 2024
The number of early voting sites in Escambia County has been cut from 10 to seven for the special primary election for the Florida 1st Congressional District seat vacated by Matt Gaetz.
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Robert Bender said Tuesday that there will be no early voting sites at Century, the University of West Florida, or Brownsville for the primary Those early voting sites will return for the special election.
He said Century, UWF and Brownsville had the lowest turnout in March with a combined total of 318 early voters for this year’s presidential preference primary at a cost of $17,000.
Of the 5,875 early votes cast countywide in the March 2024 Presidential Preference Primary:
- Century – 58 early voters
- Brownsville – 93 early voters
- UWF – 167 early voters
Voters who used one of the three sites to vote early back in March will receive a letter in the mail soon from the SOE.
The January 28 primary will be open only to Republicans – the complete field includes 10 Republicans, a Democrat, one candidate without party affiliation and four write-in candidates. With one candidate and no challenger, the primary will not be open to Democratic voters.
Early voting will be January 18-25 at the following locations in Escambia County:
- Escambia County Extension Services, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Molino Community Center, 6450 Highway 95A, Molino
- Bellview Library, 6425 Mobile Highway, Pensacola
- Asbury Place, 750 College Blvd, Pensacola
- Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office, 213 Palafox Place, Second Floor, Pensacola
- Main Library, 239 Spring Street, Pensacola
- Southwest Library, 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
All vote-by-mail requests will expire at the end of the year. Anyone wishing to vote-by-mail must submit a new request.
Pictured: The Century early voting location and the Billy G. Ward Courthouse. NorthEscambia.com, photos, click to enlarge.
Salzman, Andrade Named To Florida House Leadership Positions
December 18, 2024
Two members of the Escambia County legislative delegation have been named to leadership positions by Florida House Speaker Danny Perez. The committee announcements were released Tuesday.
Distract 1 Rep. Michelle Salzman was named chair of the Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee.
Salzman was also named to the:
- Commerce Committee
- Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
- Judiciary Committee
- Rules & Ethics Committee
- Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee
District 2 Rep. Alex Andrade was named chair of the Health Care Budget Subcommittee.
Andrade was also named to the:
- Budget Committee
- Health & Human Services Committee
- Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
- Joint Legislative Budget Commission
Ernest Ward Middle Names Students, Employee Of The Month
December 18, 2024
Ernest Ward Middle School recently named Students of the Month and their Employee of the month.
The are:
- 8th grade- Greyson Maughon
- 7th grade- Carrie Emmons
- 6th grade- Antonia Hayes
- Employee: Lauren Hicks.
Pictured (L-R): Ernest Ward Middle Principal Tyvanna Boulanger with Students of the Month Greyson Maughon, Carrie Emmons, and Antonia Hayes; and Employee of the Month Lauren Hicks. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.